Ongoing Sales Incentive - Enrolling Post-6/20/10 Weeks [MERGED]

[Seaport104]

Just curious.....if you did purchase the 5000pts, would you be able to enroll up to 7 weeks or would you be able to enroll more than 7?

Up to 7 weeks. They did not budge on this.

 

[icydog]

Just curious.....if you did purchase the 5000pts, would you be able to enroll up to 7 weeks or would you be able to enroll more than 7?

They told me I can enroll all my 9 weeks to equal 22,000 DC points

 

[Travelmore]

They told me I can enroll all my 9 weeks to equal 22,000 DC points

Interesting....I (like Seaport104) was told up to 7 weeks with the 5000 point purchase and that I could choose which weeks.

I did not push this, as we were really just looking for info at the time.

 

[Seaport104]

They told me I can enroll all my 9 weeks to equal 22,000 DC points

Were any of the 9 weeks purchased pre-June 2010?

 

[darius]

Icydog, did they offer you an additional 5% discount off the retail price for no incentives? That's the offer I took several weeks ago - and am charging the entire purchase on the Ritz credit card to get 5 points per dollar. If that's still available maybe that's something worth consideration? Good luck!

 

[icydog]

I bought the 5,000 point package. I was offered 5500 or 425000 MRP. Do you think I should take one of these?

 

[Seaport104]

I bought the 5,000 point package. I was offered 5500 or 425000 MRP. Do you think I should take one of these?

I would take the additional 5% off and forego the incentives, unless you can maximize travel packages through marriott rewards.

 

[SueDonJ]

I bought the 5,000 point package. I was offered 5500 or 425000 MRP. Do you think I should take one of these?

I have to confess that I get very confused by your posts. This is your thread from earlier this year - How important is it to be in the Chairman's Circle - in which I think you say that you're already a DC Member through enrollment of Marriott-resale Weeks. (Which I think explains why through this promotion all nine of your Weeks can ultimately be enrolled.) If spending $29K then to bump up your status level wasn't worth the cost, why is spending more now worth it?

I seem to remember that you've also said that you wouldn't be likely to convert your enrolled Weeks to DC Points because you get your usage value from using your Weeks at your home resorts, or exchanging them through II or for Marriott Rewards Points. If you still don't think you'll be using DC Points from converting your Weeks, what is it you're expecting to gain by doing this promotion? It seems to me that all you're doing is committing to a huge purchase price and ongoing additional MF costs, without taking full advantage of the flexibility of the DC system.

Not having to pay II transaction fees might be worth it but only if the purchase and ongoing DC fees offset your II fees - do you do that much exchanging in II?

Of course you don't have to explain yourself to anyone! But I thought it might be helpful if others explain to you their confusion about what you're doing.

 

[icydog]

I have to confess that I get very confused by your posts. This is your thread from earlier this year - How important is it to be in the Chairman's Circle - in which I think you say that you're already a DC Member through enrollment of Marriott-resale Weeks. (Which I think explains why through this promotion all nine of your Weeks can ultimately be enrolled.) If spending $29K then to bump up your status level wasn't worth the cost, why is spending more now worth it?

I seem to remember that you've also said that you wouldn't be likely to convert your enrolled Weeks to DC Points because you get your usage value from using your Weeks at your home resorts, or exchanging them through II or for Marriott Rewards Points. If you still don't think you'll be using DC Points from converting your Weeks, what is it you're expecting to gain by doing this promotion? It seems to me that all you're doing is committing to a huge purchase price and ongoing additional MF costs, without taking full advantage of the flexibility of the DC system.

Not having to pay II transaction fees might be worth it but only if the purchase and ongoing DC fees offset your II fees - do you do that much exchanging in II?

Of course you don't have to explain yourself to anyone! But I thought it might be helpful if others explain to you their confusion about what you're doing.

I have two Lakeshore Reserve Platinum weeks that I bought new from the developer..I was able to enroll those developer weeks in the DC Program--which I did. They got me 3400 points each.
Then I bought 1500 trust points to become Premier + 3400 x 2 (6800) =8300 points -- enough now for new Executive level.

When the levels changed I briefly thought about buying enough trust points to get to Chairman's Status, but without anything but more points, I decided it was not worth it. I had those 9 weeks to use, rent, exchange or change for MRP.

Then this offer came to light. I could enroll all my weeks giving me the value of 9 weeks in DCA points, 22000 points, plus 6500 trust points (1500 that I owned before + the new 5K I had to buy) which would put me at the highest level without buying a pile of trust points. That level comes with perks I like like extended reservation windows et al.

The only week I would not deposit into DC points would be my Manor Club week that trades for 122000 MRP every year and my Branson weeks that offer little in DCA points yet trade exceptionally well in II .

I like the idea of having the ability to change my weeks into DC points. I'm getting pretty bad trades, even with my best weeks, in II and I won't miss them except, of course, for the aforementioned, Branson Platinum Lockoffs.

I thought this through and I think the value to me going forward will be there especially in the ability to get to resorts in HI that I have no chance of getting through II.

If I add in my Lakeshore weeks, which I usually change to DC points my grand total would be 35250 points. That's a lot of points.

 

[kds4]

I have two Lakeshore Reserve Platinum weeks that I bought new from the developer..I was able to enroll those developer weeks in the DC Program if I bought points--which I did.
So I had 1500 trust points and 3400 x 2= 8300 points -- enough for Executive level.
When the levels changed I briefly thought about buying enough trust points to get to Chairman's Status but without anything but more points I decided it was not worth it.

Them this offer came to light. I could enroll all my weeks giving me the value of 9 weeks in DCA points, 22000 points, plus 6500 trust points which would put me at the highest level without buying a pile of trust points. That level comes with perks I like like extended reservation widows and the rest.

The only week I would not deposit into DC points would be my Manor Club week that trades for 122000 MRP every year and my Branson weeks that offer little in DCA points yet trade exceptionally well in II .

I like the idea of having the ability to change my weeks into DC points. I'm getting pretty bad trades even with my best weeks in II and I won't miss them except for Branson.

I thought this through and I think the value to me going forward will be there especially in the ability to get to resorts in HI that I have no chance of getting through II.

If I add in my Lakeshore weeks, which I usually change to DC points my grand total would be 35250 points.

Your reasoning makes sense to me and I cannot say that I wouldn't likely do the same thing were I in your position.

 

[SueDonJ]

I have two Lakeshore Reserve Platinum weeks that I bought new from the developer..I was able to enroll those developer weeks in the DC Program if I bought points--which I did.
So I had 1500 trust points + 3400 x 2 (6800) =8300 points -- enough for Executive level.

When the levels changed I briefly thought about buying enough trust points to get to Chairman's Status but without anything but more points I decided it was not worth it. I had those 9 weeks to use, rent, exchange or change for MRP.

Them this offer came to light. I could enroll all my weeks giving me the value of 9 weeks in DCA points, 22000 points, plus 6500 trust points which would put me at the highest level without buying a pile of trust points. That level comes with perks I like like extended reservation widows and et al.

The only week I would not deposit into DC points would be my Manor Club week that trades for 122000 MRP every year and my Branson weeks that offer little in DCA points yet trade exceptionally well in II .

I like the idea of having the ability to change my weeks into DC points. I'm getting pretty bad trades even with my best weeks in II and I won't miss them except, of course, for the aforementioned, Branson Platinum Lockoffs.

I thought this through and I think the value to me going forward will be there especially in the ability to get to resorts in HI that I have no chance of getting through II.

If I add in my Lakeshore weeks, which I usually change to DC points my grand total would be 35250 points.

If you're planning on playing with DC Points then I agree, the opportunity is great here for you to enroll previously-ineligible Weeks especially if you intend to use Points at the resorts which have had or will have the majority of their intervals conveyed to the Trust.

As long as you understand that even though this offer isn't financially as bad as others may be, it comes with what I consider a pretty high Points purchase, 5,000, at an additional cost of $2,375 annually for MF's on those Points (at the 2015 rate which is sure to increase.)

Also, with Executive status you already get the most liberal Reservation Window for DC Members, the ability to reserve 1+ nights at 13 months. Attaining Chairman's Club status isn't going to make a difference there, although the two-year banking period is IMO very attractive the more Points you have.

Thanks for responding to my post, icydog. I was very much hoping that you would take it as genuine concern rather than criticism.

 

[icydog]

If you're planning on playing with DC Points then I agree, the opportunity is great here for you to enroll previously-ineligible Weeks especially if you intend to use Points at the resorts which have had or will have the majority of their intervals conveyed to the Trust.

As long as you understand that even though this offer isn't financially as bad as others may be, it comes with what I consider a pretty high Points purchase, 5,000, at an additional cost of $2,375 annually for MF's on those Points (at the 2015 rate which is sure to increase.)

Also, with Executive status you already get the most liberal Reservation Window for DC Members, the ability to reserve 1+ nights at 13 months. Attaining Chairman's Club status isn't going to make a difference there, although the two-year banking period is IMO very attractive the more Points you have.

Thanks for responding to my post, icydog. I was very much hoping that you would take it as genuine concern rather than criticism.

No I never took it as anything except an exploration of my rationale. I figured you were asking in case others might be in the same situation as I find myself. To tell you the truth Sue I didn't think about maintenance fees. I should have but now that you mention it the fees make sense.

However, I think, for me, the good outweighs the bad. My main focus is using DC points to get to the resorts that were unavailable to me. Now I can go to Hawaii or Aruba or anywhere else I want. I will use that benefit of owning all those points. I might be able to reserve Hilton Head in season. That's something I've never been able to do without paying $$$ for an II getaway. Points make sense to me after so many years of owning Disney Vacation Club. I can stretch a point till it cries. I realize this venture is a lot of money but wonderful vacations will bring me a lot of happiness. Thanks for your concern, Sue, I appreciate you looking out for me.

 

[icydog]

I heard from Greg Glover an "executive" with Marriott at Ocean watch. He was assigned my account to extend the offer to us of 2,500 Pts at the $27,000 discounted price to enroll our summer week at DSV II, which is only worth 1,675 DP. The combined points would put us at chairman's level. I told him we have an upcoming Encore visit to Barony at HH in 3 weeks and he offered to apply the value I paid (including the value of the 100k MR points) to the purchase price and I could then skip my presentation during my encore package visit (now that is SOME incentive at least..lol). He also mentioned something about using Marriott to finance the purchase for even a minimal amount of time (and then pay it off, cause their rates are ridiculous), and we will get an additional 2,500 DP points for one time use. I'm wondering what other "enhancements" I might be able to get if I pushed this further. Any thoughts? Platinum status for 2-3 years? Additional MR points? We set up another call for next week to discuss one more time. Not really considering doing this for the small number of points my DSV week would generate.

So if I am reading this correctly, if you are already in the DC program they can apply the costs you paid to buy points in the first places? So if I paid $$ for my 1500 DC points which put me into the program, I can apply that money to the current cost of the 5000 points I'll need to buy to enroll my post 2010 weeks into the program??

 

[dioxide45]

So if I am reading this correctly, if you are already in the DC program they can apply the costs you paid to buy points in the first places? So if I paid $$ for my 1500 DC points which put me into the program, I can apply that money to the current cost of the 5000 points I'll need to buy to enroll my post 2010 weeks into the program??

The value of the encore package is what would be applied to the purchase price. Not previously purchased points.

 

[dioxide45]

I think once you are in the DC program, I don't see much reason to buy any trust points when you can rent them pretty cheap. Perhaps only a few cents more than the MFs on those points.

$50,000 is a lot of money. You could rent the weeks you want at the HHI properties from an owner for the next 10 years or more with that much money. Factor in the MFs on trust points and you are perhaps looking at 20 years. The break even point on points at today's prices is a long way off IMO. Of course, if you want flexibility and ease of each transaction, buying points is perhaps the way to go, but you will pay a hefty price for it.

 

[icydog]

I hear you Dioxide. Thanks a lot. I think all the flexibility is what draws me to this option. I will carefully consider your advice.

 

[JIMinNC]

I think once you are in the DC program, I don't see much reason to buy any trust points when you can rent them pretty cheap. Perhaps only a few cents more than the MFs on those points.

$50,000 is a lot of money. You could rent the weeks you want at the HHI properties from an owner for the next 10 years or more with that much money. Factor in the MFs on trust points and you are perhaps looking at 20 years. The break even point on points at today's prices is a long way off IMO. Of course, if you want flexibility and ease of each transaction, buying points is perhaps the way to go, but you will pay a hefty price for it.

I hear you Dioxide. Thanks a lot. I think all the flexibility is what draws me to this option. I will carefully consider your advice.

I tend to agree with icydog that there is some intrinsic, hard-to-quantify value to actually owning the points. There are the benefits of the ownership tiers and the additional banking/borrowing flexibility that you don't get with rentals. Plus it is nice to know the points are there and ready when you need them.

While I am a big fan of point rentals (even though I've only had the need to do it once), as I'm learning more about the DC system, I think I'm evolving to support a strategy to own - either through Trust points or enrolled points - the amount of points that I can be reasonably sure I can use in any given year. A secondary criteria would be to achieve a certain ownership tier level, but the overriding issue would be to only own the number of points that I know I can use. Then for those extra trips or years when my point needs are higher than normal - point rentals become an easy and cost effective way to supplement any owned points without robbing from other years.

Right now, our point needs are limited due to our travel restrictions with one child still being in school, so our 1750 Trust points and 1625 elected points work perfect. Our needs will likely increase in about 23 months when our youngest heads to college, so that is when we'll look to have more points at our disposal, with the hope that we can find a cost effective way to get to Executive level.

 

[icydog]

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road- Or Why I Decided Not to Take the DC Enrollment Promotion!

I think once you are in the DC program, I don't see much reason to buy any trust points when you can rent them pretty cheap. Perhaps only a few cents more than the MFs on those points.

$50,000 is a lot of money. You could rent the weeks you want at the HHI properties from an owner for the next 10 years or more with that much money. Factor in the MFs on trust points and you are perhaps looking at 20 years. The break even point on points at today's prices is a long way off IMO. Of course, if you want flexibility and ease of each transaction, buying points is perhaps the way to go, but you will pay a hefty price for it.

[Link deleted.]

Bottom line, I was going to proceed with the sale.. but I also listened closely to two people, SueDon and Dioxide45, who know Marriott's Vacation Program very well! I also respect them for knowing what they're doing!

I was very sure I wanted, okay needed, to enroll all my weeks and buy 5000 DC points for $10.98 plus closing fees per point. That as the offer. That's what I was going to buy.

This is how it played out. I got a call from my Salesman who gave me the option to enroll all 9 of my un-enrolled weeks into the DC program. I told him others on Tug were told only 7 weeks could be deposited. He poo-pooed that, and tut-tut this, and the bottom line he stated unequivocally that I would be able to deposit them all.

I was happy. I figured one of two things had happened. Either some of my weeks were so cheap nobody cared if they were deposited (like my week 9 Hilton Head week) or maybe because-- I had two weeks already enrolled and 1500 trust points too-- I was given a wave through.

In any case, I was very excited to have an extra 22000 DCA points and 6500 Trust points. And add in my two already enrolled Lakeshore weeks for 6800. My grand total would have been 35,300 points! Whoopie! Wow! I was rich!

Then I got THE email. The salesman said he got the answer he was waiting for from Marriott Legal. "I'm sorry", says he, "but I can only enroll 7 of your weeks"! "Legal won't let me" Now mind you, I'd never heard the word legal until that point-- much less that he was awaiting a decision! As far as I knew, and was told, I as good to go with all 9 weeks!

At first, I thought, big deal! I still have a cartload of points! (Remember I'm giddy with the thought that I'm rich with points now). I can afford to lose a measly 3275 DC points, couldn't I? "Why not", says I? "I'm a point tycoon after all"!

I was still thinking of points when I went to bed. But this time, all I could think about was Dioxide and SueDon's admonitions. I realized I didn't need to be a point princess. I could rent points from another DC member, or trade my 11 weeks in interval, or use MRPs or trade my already-enrolled weeks and points myself into the DC program. Don't forget my two Lakeshore Weeks and 1500 trust pound would equal 8300 points. I didn't have to plunk down almost $56k to be a point maven. I'm just an average Jill. No fuss, no frills.

So this morning I told the salesman that Marriott was very, very shortsighted in their dealings with me. I said that I'd never heard the word legal until this point-- and that my expectation was to receive what I was promised.

Since I couldn't get what I was promised, I decided to pass this EXPENSIVE deal by.

Next, I get another email from the salesman asking me to hold off from pulling the plug. He said he wanted to get with Marriott's Legal Dept to sort this out, and could I give him a few days to do so.

My reply was, "Don't Bother". Too bad Marriott! Too bad salesman who tried to pull a fast one on me! Too bad the corporation who couldn't see that an big outlay of capital funds--and another gigantic influx yearly-- could have made them rich. They were so,so shortsighted.

But the good news for me is, Marriott broke the bubble. No matter how good a deal this was-- It was too much money to spend on a timeshare. Way, way too much.

If I was 35 this probably would have been a glorious deal. But at 69, with an optimistic 10 year travel window, it made less and less sense. Also when I die who is going to be able to pay these mainteance fees? Certainly not my kids!
(By the way, when I asked for a breakdown of fees, maintenance or other, I never got it. I can only surmise from Dioxide and Sue that they had to be very high)

What wudda, cudda, shudda happened--- DID NOT! It was all a pipe dream meant for younger, more vibrant, folk.

Too bad for Marriott too. They let the big one get away!

And for me, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". I won't be back again!


Sent From Marylyn's New iPad Air 2

 

[GregT]

Don't forget my two Lakeshore Weeks and 1500 trust pound would equal 8300 points.

Marylyn,

You chose wisely, and I'm glad you listened to smart TUGgers. As per the quote above, you are already Executive Level, which has all the power you need, and everything else is gravy.

I'm happy for you -- but sorry for Marriott that they didn't recognize (early) the opportunity to do the right thing for you. We Legacy Owners are not their enemy, and should have always been embraced as partners here. You have excellent weeks, and I know you will make the most of them.

Thank you for sharing the experience with us.

Best,

Greg

 

[SkyBlueWaters]

Passed it up too. As much as I love my Marriott, at that point, I'd buy a Ritz or HGVC resale.

Good for you to walk away.

 

[icydog]

Thank you SueDon and Dioxide

Thank goodness SueDon and Dioxide were not afraid to set me straight. If the Marriott Salesman would have been upfront with me I'd probably be sitting here right now signing contracts and applying a deposit.

In hindsight I'm glad Marriott screwed up because I don't need $60k in timeshare points. But it was so nice on paper. All those points bedazzled me. I became a DC point-hound without even knowing it. I was envisioning lovely HI vacations every year. My eyes were focused on lovely Hawaii without seeing the big picture---The fact that it would take 10-15 years before I'd see a payback.

Thanks for the support Tuggers----Especially Sue and Dioxide!

 

[icydog]

Marylyn,

You chose wisely, and I'm glad you listened to smart TUGgers. As per the quote above, you are already Executive Level, which has all the power you need, and everything else is gravy.

I'm happy for you -- but sorry for Marriott that they didn't recognize (early) the opportunity to do the right thing for you. We Legacy Owners are not their enemy, and should have always been embraced as partners here. You have excellent weeks, and I know you will make the most of them.

Thank you for sharing the experience with us.

Best,

Greg

Greg, your support means a lot to me. Thank you!

 

[SueDonJ]

You're very welcome, Marylyn.

Like you I love Marriott Points and for me there's no doubt that despite its high cost it's still a worthwhile product to own. But we each individually need to seriously consider how we'll actually use it and how much we're willing to pay for it on an ongoing basis. I'm glad we were able to help you flesh out your thought process because while I believe that it's a great product, I believe more strongly that the decision to buy it should be an informed decision.

(I'm not sure why you feel this needed to be posted in a new thread instead of the ongoing one. Do you have any objections to the two threads being merged for continuity?)

 

[icydog]

You're very welcome, Marylyn.

Like you I love Marriott Points and for me there's no doubt that despite its high cost it's still a worthwhile product to own. But we each individually need to seriously consider how we'll actually use it and how much we're willing to pay for it on an ongoing basis. I'm glad we were able to help you flesh out your thought process because while I believe that it's a great product, I believe more strongly that the decision to buy it should be an informed decision.

(I'm not sure why you feel this needed to be posted in a new thread instead of the ongoing one. Do you have any objections to the two threads being merged for continuity?)

One of the many things I've learned on Tug is to listen. I would be up a creek had I not remembered SueDon's and Dioxide's advice and warnings.

I, too, like the point program to get to places I don't own.

Since I own the ability to have 7900 DC points each year, two Lakeshore and 1500 Trust points, where do I go to rent more when I need them. I have been to Gregg's site, and it's a great resource, but are there any other places people are using for renting points?

 

[Fasttr]

I have been to Gregg's site, and it's a great resource, but are there any other places people are using for renting points?

www.ownertrades.com is another site which has listings of MVC points to rent, and is also run by a TUGger.